According to reports from ESPN, Manchester United have ‘greatly accelerated’ their efforts to sign Bayern Munich boss and Manchester City management target Pep Guardiola.
The former Barcelona gaffer, who won two Champions League titles during his four years at the Nou Camp, is not expected to extend his Allianz Arena contract past the end of the season and is reportedly keen to test himself in the Premier League.
Manchester City have been courting the Spaniard for the best part of three years and received a major boost last week, amid news that local rivals Manchester United would not contest them for Guardiola’s services next summer.
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But ESPN claim reports of the Red Devils’ non-interest were merely a vote of confidence in Louis van Gaal’s abilities ahead of United’s all-or-nothing Champions League clash with Wolfsburg last Tuesday. They were eliminated by a 3-2 scoreline and the issue of signing Guardiola is now back on the agenda at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils know they’re playing catch-up with City, however, who are headed by two of Guardiola’s former Barcelona colleagues in sporting director Txiki Bergiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano, and have resultantly ‘greatly accelerated’ their efforts to sign him by ‘significantly upgrading’ their contact with the 44-year-old.
Previously, all communications were through back channels.